Evaluating the Effects of Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Approaches for Pier Scour Depth Computation.
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| Title: | Evaluating the Effects of Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Approaches for Pier Scour Depth Computation. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Castaneda, Luis F.1 (AUTHOR) lcastanedagalvis@omegaengineers.com, Tarozzo, Murilo P.2 (AUTHOR) mht0028@auburn.edu, Vasconcelos, Jose G.3 (AUTHOR), Anderson, J. Brian3 (AUTHOR) jba0005@auburn.edu |
| Source: | Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. Jul2026, Vol. 152 Issue 4, p1-13. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Hydraulic models, Two-dimensional models, Bridge design & construction, Piers, Hydrologic models, Civil engineering |
| Geographic Terms: | Alabama |
| Abstract: | Bridge scour is a significant concern in civil engineering. The hydrological and hydraulic methods used to calculate peak flows and the flow simulation near bridge piers significantly influence bridge scour estimates due to varying water depth and velocity predictions. The extent to which these methods can influence pier scour depth estimation is not well explored, as systematic investigations on the topic are limited. This case study examines the impact of hydrologic and hydraulic calculation approaches on pier scour estimates for four bridges in Alabama. By considering various combinations of hydrological and hydraulic models, this case study explores the differences in scour predictions using HEC-18 due to varying water depths and velocities. The results showed that the regression equations, often used by state departments of transportation, do not always yield the worst-case hydrological scenario. Predictions among one-dimensional models were very similar, but in most cases, they estimate less severe scour depth when compared with two-dimensional models. The findings underscore the practical implications of model selection in bridge safety assessments, particularly for bridges with complex cross-sections. Practical Applications: This case study demonstrates that the selection of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling approaches can significantly impact the computed pier-scour depths, particularly for bridges with complex cross-sections. Two-dimensional raised-pier simulations performed in the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) provide more reliable velocity and depth distributions near piers compared with one-dimensional or simplified two-dimensional (2D) storage area models. From a practical standpoint, bridge-scour evaluations may be improved by adopting 2D modeling for hydraulically complex sites and event-based hydrologic simulations under wet antecedent curve number conditions to bracket peak discharges. The observed consistency between modeled scour and bridge inspection records reinforces the value of integrating such inspections as a means of validation for prediction models. The findings align with Federal Highway Administration guidance that promotes advanced hydraulic modeling for resilient and cost-effective bridge design practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Hydraulic Engineering is the property of American Society of Civil Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 193805123 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Evaluating the Effects of Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Approaches for Pier Scour Depth Computation. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Castaneda%2C+Luis+F%2E%22">Castaneda, Luis F.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> lcastanedagalvis@omegaengineers.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tarozzo%2C+Murilo+P%2E%22">Tarozzo, Murilo P.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> mht0028@auburn.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vasconcelos%2C+Jose+G%2E%22">Vasconcelos, Jose G.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anderson%2C+J%2E+Brian%22">Anderson, J. Brian</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> jba0005@auburn.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Hydraulic+Engineering%22">Journal of Hydraulic Engineering</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 152 Issue 4, p1-13. 13p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hydraulic+models%22">Hydraulic models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Two-dimensional+models%22">Two-dimensional models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bridge+design+%26+construction%22">Bridge design & construction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Piers%22">Piers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hydrologic+models%22">Hydrologic models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Civil+engineering%22">Civil engineering</searchLink> – Name: SubjectGeographic Label: Geographic Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alabama%22">Alabama</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Bridge scour is a significant concern in civil engineering. The hydrological and hydraulic methods used to calculate peak flows and the flow simulation near bridge piers significantly influence bridge scour estimates due to varying water depth and velocity predictions. The extent to which these methods can influence pier scour depth estimation is not well explored, as systematic investigations on the topic are limited. This case study examines the impact of hydrologic and hydraulic calculation approaches on pier scour estimates for four bridges in Alabama. By considering various combinations of hydrological and hydraulic models, this case study explores the differences in scour predictions using HEC-18 due to varying water depths and velocities. The results showed that the regression equations, often used by state departments of transportation, do not always yield the worst-case hydrological scenario. Predictions among one-dimensional models were very similar, but in most cases, they estimate less severe scour depth when compared with two-dimensional models. The findings underscore the practical implications of model selection in bridge safety assessments, particularly for bridges with complex cross-sections. Practical Applications: This case study demonstrates that the selection of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling approaches can significantly impact the computed pier-scour depths, particularly for bridges with complex cross-sections. Two-dimensional raised-pier simulations performed in the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) provide more reliable velocity and depth distributions near piers compared with one-dimensional or simplified two-dimensional (2D) storage area models. From a practical standpoint, bridge-scour evaluations may be improved by adopting 2D modeling for hydraulically complex sites and event-based hydrologic simulations under wet antecedent curve number conditions to bracket peak discharges. The observed consistency between modeled scour and bridge inspection records reinforces the value of integrating such inspections as a means of validation for prediction models. The findings align with Federal Highway Administration guidance that promotes advanced hydraulic modeling for resilient and cost-effective bridge design practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Hydraulic Engineering is the property of American Society of Civil Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1061/JHEND8.HYENG-14235 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 13 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Hydraulic models Type: general – SubjectFull: Two-dimensional models Type: general – SubjectFull: Bridge design & construction Type: general – SubjectFull: Piers Type: general – SubjectFull: Hydrologic models Type: general – SubjectFull: Civil engineering Type: general – SubjectFull: Alabama Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Evaluating the Effects of Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Approaches for Pier Scour Depth Computation. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Castaneda, Luis F. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Tarozzo, Murilo P. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Vasconcelos, Jose G. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Anderson, J. Brian IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 07339429 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 152 – Type: issue Value: 4 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
